SC orders BI to keep Korean fugitive

MANILA -- A South Korean accused of embezzling reserve funds of a firm in his country will remain in the custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Supreme Court (SC) spokesperson Theodore Te said Tuesday the justices issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the two orders issued by a Manila court in favor of Ja Hoon Ku.

Records showed the Korean Embassy wrote the BI to arrest and deport Ja for alleged arbitrary spending of the reserve funds of Seoul-based Phildip Korea Co, Ltd.

Upon finding that Ja was a "risk to public interest," the BI charged him of violating Section 69 of Republic Act 2711 or the Revised Administrative Code as his visa had already expired.

BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison then issued a warrant for his immediate deportation to South Korea. Ja was arrested on January 16 and detained at the BI detention center in Bicutan, Taguig City.

The following day, Ja asked Judge Paulino Gallegos of the Manila Regional Trial Court branch 47 to issue a writ of amparo and temporary protection order against the BI. Gallegos heard the petition on the same day.

Mison opposed the issuance of the protection order on January 28 but the judge ordered Ja’s release to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and for the Philippine National Police (PNP) to secure his family.

The judge also directed the BI on January 29 to transfer Ja’s custody to the PNP-Police Security and Protection Group. (Sunnex)

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